Delhi Pond Turns Into a Miracle Refuge for 250+ Rescued Turtles & 20 New Hatchlings

By Raajwrita Dutta 8 August 2025

Picture courtesy: Hindustan Times

Delhi’s Turtle Pond Sees a Baby Boom! At Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, a turtle pond is turning into a thriving home for rescued turtles.

Set up in January 2022, this transit camp is now home to 250 Indian turtles from four species — both hard-shell and soft-shell.

This season alone, 20 to 25 hatchlings have emerged. More are expected soon!

The secret? Smart habitat design: – Rock edges for protection – Native grasses for nesting – Floating logs to bask on – Sandy patches to sunbathe

Over 160 turtles were rescued — including 100 saved from smugglers. Others were born here over the last two years.

They’re fed a natural mix of fishlings, pond grasses, and figs from nearby trees.

The pond shelters four protected species: – Indian flapshell – Indian roofed turtle – Black pond turtle – Yellow-spotted pond turtle

(All protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act)

Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the new hatchlings “a breakthrough in our conservation journey”.

With its semi-natural micro-ecosystem, Asola Bhatti has become a model for turtle rehabilitation and breeding.